Post 16 transport policy statement 2020-21

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Overview

Each year local authorities are required to consult young people of sixth form age and their parents as well as other stakeholders on the Post 16 Transport Policy Statement before it is finalised.

The Post-16 Transport Policy Statement outlines the help that might be available through the County Council, schools, colleges and transport operators to help young people of sixth form age and young adult learners aged 19+ who have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to get to school and college. It includes information about:

fares and concessions;

the Council’s home to school/college transport policy for learners with SEND; and

contact details for schools and colleges.

Why We Are Consulting

The aim of the consultation is to check that the Policy Statement and related information is complete, clear and accurate. We would like to gather views from young people, parents and other interested parties about:

1. The draft policy statement.

2. The future of Sussex Student Card now the 16-17 Railcard gives a 50% rail discount

1. Draft Policy Statement. Apart from the rail section, changes in the transport policy statement relate to dates and anticipated changes to travel costs. There are no substantial changes to the policy around the help from the Council that is available to young people.

You can find the Draft policy at the foot of this oveview page. Please leave any comments on page 2 of the survey.

2. Sussex Student Card. We are proposing to cease the Sussex Student Card rail subsidy. This pan Sussex venture started in 2004 when local authorities created initiatives to assist young people to stay in education after taking their GCSE’s. The Sussex Student Card has supported thousands of young people by reducing their rail fares by 34%.

In August 2019, just prior to the start of the academic year, the Department for Transport announced a new national rail scheme for 16-17 year olds which gives a 50% saving on a standard adult fare (effectively pegging the cost of rail travel to the child rate). This was welcome news and was seen as a natural replacement for the Sussex Student Card.

However, due to the timing of the release of the 16-17 Railcard, it was decided to keep the Sussex Student Card running until we could consider its future. This would ensure existing card holders could access their discount.

Analysis has shown that most students are better off using the new 16-17 Railcard although some will get the same level of discount over a 2 year course. Those studying for 3 years will receive a smaller overall discount when compared to when the Sussex Student Card was the sole rail concession available.

Running competing discount schemes makes the position less clear for students and we believe it is the right time to cease the Sussex Student Card at the end of the current academic year.

You can leave us your comments on page 3 of the survey but you should read the consultation document found at the foot of this overview page.

Privacy: This consultation is anonymous, although we do ask respondents to complete an optional 'about you' section at the end. You will find more information in the relevant section. Please ensure that any comments you make don't include any names or personal details of you or anyone else. For more information about how the data will be stored and processed by East Sussex County Council please click here.